Commercial venting

Ian Gills

Ian Gills

Senior Robin Hood Guy
Messages
2,743
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Location
USA
11 story building.

Over 80 wall hung toilets and 30 urinals.

Where would the vent be and how big would it be?

Would I find a 4 inch piece of PVC sticking out of the roof if I ventured up there?

If it's any bigger, what would stop people falling in? :eek:
 
You would probably find two 4's.

Anyone who gets up on the roof of an 11 story building either knows how to look out for himself, or deserves to fall in!
 
Dwv

The number of stories and/or the number of fixtures by themselves mean nothing. HOW the fixtures are arranged on the various floors determines the pipe sizes and their arrangement. You will NOT find a 4" PVC sticking out of the roof, because VERY FEW, if any, codes allow ANY plastic piping over three stories. The fact that very few people would fit into a pipe smaller than 12" is what keeps them from falling in.
 
11 Stories would likely be a Solvent system.
(2) 4's or maybe 6's (although unlikely) depending on how they designed it and if they were accounting for future uses.
You may also find a few 3's if they have typical fixture locations away from the main plumbing stack(s).

Sovent design manual
 
Wow. I'm gonna go DIY commercial style.

Why doesn't the hot water take ages to come up to the 9th floor, if I am the first one to wash my hands in the morning? I sure get hot water quicker than in my single story rambler at home?
 
Last edited:
Ian Gills said:
Wow. I'm gonna go DIY commercial style.

Why doesn't the hot water take ages to come up to the 9th floor, if I am the first one to wash my hands in the morning? I sure get hot water quicker than in my single story rambler at home?
Click to expand...

In large hotels the hot water is constantly circulated through a loop, similar to a force hot water heating system. Branches from the circulating loop supply each room which results in virtually instant hot water. Other large buildings may use similar techniques.
 
piping

SoVent is a very UNCOMMON system, therefore, an 11 story building would not necessarily have one. There are many ways to supply water to the various floors. A pump in the basement with PRV's at each floor, or a few PRV's each serving several floors, a tank on the roof downfeeding the water system, or a hybrid with the pump feeding the lower floors and the tank taking care of the upper ones. And, these are just a few of the many possible combinations.
 
Fascinating. Is it the same sort of issue for all buildings three-stories and over or are there other cut-offs?

For example, above 50 stories do new things come into play with plumbing?
 
One of the local hotels here uses the Sovent system.
Staying there, I noticed the trap making noise like it was being siphoned.
A lot a noises coming from it.
 
My work would not let me on to the roof to have a look. The guard asked if I was going to jump or fly?

If I had a helicopter they could make special arrangements.

So I guess DIY, commerical-high rise style is a no no.

That's a shame.

Let's all DIY high in the sky!
 
Last edited:
high rise

Height creates to problems. Water lines develop higher pressure, and drain lines develop excessive velocity. Both situations require special features to minimize their effects. WHAT is done may be unique to each building because there are many ways to ameliorate the effects of height. Imagine the pressure to get water to the top of the Burg Dubai 2900 foot high building, or the terminal velocity of water draining from a top floor toilet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Q
Positive vent pressure issue
Replies
0
Views
435
Qwerty5566
Q
G
Just needing to vent...
Replies
1
Views
385
GreyGnome
G
G
Vent problem
Replies
9
Views
1K
Slomoola
Slomoola
Nanmer
2 inch vent sizing and grade
Replies
0
Views
6K
Nanmer
Nanmer
K
Connecting to vent pipe from weird angle
Replies
2
Views
2K
Reach4
Reach4
Back
Top